The history of the name Ballad begins in the days of the Anglo-Saxon tribes in Britain. It was a name for a person known for their lack of hair. As a point of interest, the name is derived from the Old English word ball-ard, which means a bald headed man.[1]CITATION[CLOSE]Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6) Another source claims the name was Celtic or Gaelic in origin "from Ball, a place, a round elevation; and ard, high. The Gaelic word Ballart signifies noisy, boasting. Bal also signifies a lord, and ard, high." [2]CITATION[CLOSE]Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. Print Yet another source claims the name was "an ancient baptismal name, Balard." [3]CITATION[CLOSE]Lowe, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.

Ballad Early Origins

The surname Ballad was first found in various counties and shire of England. Various sources claim different first records of the family. "Ballard is another old Kent name. The Ballards owned Sapinton manor from the time of Henry IV. until that of Philip and Mary. Robert Ballard, butler of Richard II., received from his Sovereign the manor of West Combe. In the reign of Henry VI., Thomas Ballard, of Horton Parva, was one of the sheriffs of Kent." [4]CITATION[CLOSE]Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print. Kirby's Quest notes that the earliest record of the name was temp. Edward III when Richard Balleheved and Petrr Ballard were listed there. [5]CITATION[CLOSE]Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print. The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list: Alurell Balard in Essex, 1273; Dreu Ballard in Huntingdonshire; and Thomas Ballard in Somerset. [1]CITATION[CLOSE]Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)

Ballad Spelling Variations

Ballad Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Ballad are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Ballad include: Ballard, Bellard, Bellhird, Belhyrd, Bellerd, Bellird, Belard, Balard, Ballird and many more.

Ballad Early History

Ballad Early History

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ballad research. Another 143 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1379, 1615, 1634, 1657, 1630, 1689, 1680, 1682, 1654 and 1710 are included under the topic Early Ballad History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ballad Early Notables (pre 1700)

Ballad Early Notables (pre 1700)

Distinguished members of the family include Henry Bellard, a prominent 14th century landholder in Yorkshire; and Colonel Thomas Ballard (1630-1689) English-born, early American colonial Virginia landowner and politician...

Another 27 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Ballad Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ballad In Ireland

Ballad In Ireland

Some of the Ballad family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. Another 78 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

The Great Migration

The Great Migration

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Ballad or a variant listed above:

Ballad Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Wm. Ballad, who setted in Virginia in 1673

Ballad Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Edward Ballad, who arrived in Virginia in 1703 [6]CITATION[CLOSE]Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)

Ballad Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

John Ballad, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Royal Admiral" in 1838 [7]CITATION[CLOSE]State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) ROYAL ADMIRAL 1838. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1838RoyalAdmiral.htm

^ Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)

^ State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) ROYAL ADMIRAL 1838. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1838RoyalAdmiral.htm

The Ballad Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The Ballad Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.